Patrick I
International Development Studies Programme, RMIT University.
Disasters. 2001 Mar;25(1):48-66. doi: 10.1111/1467-7717.00161.
International assistance efforts have represented a conundrum for East Timorese seeking to assert their new independence and autonomy. While urgent needs have been met, local participation, involvement and capacity building have not been given adequate attention. This outcome is aptly demonstrated in the case of local non-government organisations (LNGOs). This paper specifically examines the role of LNGOs in the recovery of East Timor within the international assistance programme. It examines the challenges of rehabilitation efforts in East Timor with a particular focus on capacity building of East Timorese NGOs as part of a broader effort to strengthen civil society. The initial crisis response in East Timor highlighted tension between meeting immediate needs while simultaneously incorporating civil society actors such as NGOs and communities. It has been argued that local NGOs and the community at large were not sufficiently incorporated into the process. While it is acknowledged that many local NGOs had limited capacity to respond, a greater emphasis on collaboration, inclusion and capacity building was desirable, with a view to supporting medium and longer term objectives that promote a vibrant civil society, sustainability and self-management.
对于寻求确立新独立和自治的东帝汶人而言，国际援助工作一直是个难题。尽管迫切需求得到了满足，但当地的参与、介入和能力建设却未得到足够重视。当地非政府组织的情况就充分体现了这一结果。本文具体考察了当地非政府组织在国际援助计划中东帝汶恢复进程中的作用。它审视了东帝汶恢复工作面临的挑战，尤其着重于东帝汶非政府组织的能力建设，这是加强公民社会这一更广泛努力的一部分。东帝汶最初的危机应对凸显了满足紧迫需求与同时纳入非政府组织和社区等公民社会行为体之间的矛盾。有人认为，当地非政府组织和广大社区未充分融入这一进程。尽管人们承认许多当地非政府组织的应对能力有限，但更应强调合作、包容和能力建设，以支持促进充满活力的公民社会、可持续性和自我管理的中期及长期目标。
